| This question <38|49> overall <40|42> Hans: <34|42>. |
| Question 678: Answer the above Questions (a)-(h) for capitalist society. |
| [41] Hans: A close-up view of the capitalist system. (a) Both Clay [37] and Peaches [38] stress that luxury consumption is unequally distributed, therefore imply that things are more egalitarian regarding necessities. I would dispute this. Health insurance is a necessity, quality education in classrooms that are not overcrowded is a necessity, etc. The life expectancy of the rich is much higher than that of the poor. |
| (e) According to Clay, the driving force is profit, and according to Peaches, it is demand. Interesting discrepancy. Who is right? How do you even decide such a question? If you want to say something about this, please submit you answer under Question number 678, and I will still accept it. |
| (f) Peaches distinguishes between the “independently wealthy” and people on public assistance most of whom he calls “freeloaders”. I assume he does not consider the independently wealthy freeloaders because they make a contribution to the system by owning the means of production. Marxists hold the view that large-scale means of production should not be private property but should be owned and controlled by the workers. In their eyes, the independently wealthy are therefore freeloaders too. |
| (f) Peaches stresses that the discrimination against women is social rather than economic. I agree. Capitalism would be possible even without discrimination against women or minorities -- although it would be more difficult for the capitalist class to rip off the workers if there were fewer divisions among the workers. But even if it is a social issue, this does not mean we should not look at it with critical eyes. Peaches evenly weighs the view of those who say women belong into the kitchen against the decisions of many women to enter the work force. Shouldn't the fact alone that people are assigned specific social roles based on their gender, and that women are punished by lower wages if they choose to take jobs, be a matter of concern? |
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